UAlbany will start from the bottom

That’s the headline of today’s story about UAlbany falling 85-79 at Hartford in overtime on Sunday, which guaranteed the Great Danes the No. 9 seed in the America East Tournament.

“We just struggled in overtime,” said freshman guard Logan Aronhalt, who had a career-high 18 points. “We did a good job scoring the ball most of the game, but in overtime we kind of struggled and didn’t play good defense. So that’s a tough one … We were excited to play. I thought we got a little tired.”

It’s hard to believe the America East coaches picked this team to finish third in the preseason poll, although the Great Danes did have two third-team all-conference players returning in senior forward Will Harris and junior guard Tim Ambrose.

“All I know is that Maine came in ninth last year and won 20 (actually 19) this year,” UAlbany coach Will Brown said. “It’s cyclical. We were picked third based on Will Harris and Tim Ambrose and we finished ninth.”

Speaking of which, Harris had a season-high 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting against Hartford after scoring only three points at Maine on Wednesday, a fitting ending to an enigmatic regular season.

“I make shots,” Harris said. “Shots have go to fall sooner later. I make shots. That’s what I do. That’s what I’m going to continue to try to do.”

Meanwhile, Ambrose continued to look lost with three points on 1-of-5 shooting, which makes him 1-for-10 for four points over this past two games.

Against Hartford, Ambrose made his first shot on a nice fast-break finish, then had his next three shots blocked.

“We can’t catch a break,” Brown said. “Will plays great, Timmy struggles. It’d be nice to get those guys to play well on the same night.”

UAlbany scored its most points in a conference game this season, which give the Great Danes something to hang their hats on entering their first-round game against UMBC in Hartford on Thursday.

“It helps in a sense that we know we can score points in this gym,” Harris said. “A lot of guys contributed. We know we can make baskets, but we’ve got to defend.”

someone please explain to me how you create an account on Big Purple Fan. It says my email addresses are ALL banned. clickity clack, jeff, Danefan….someone? I even write in email addresses that don’t exist and it says they’re banned.

Can we play DEFENSE???? We let them take 31 3 pointers and they made 13. Is there any other coach in the WORLD who would play their best player only 19 minutes in a game?? Our leading scorer. Our leading rebounder. Our leading assist man? With ONE FOUL. WHY?????????????